A fall tablescape is a fun way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for gatherings with family and friends.
And you don’t need to overhaul your entire dining setup to do it! You can take your everyday dinnerware and layer in just a few simple, holiday-specific accessories. By adding a few seasonal touches—whether it’s a cozy table runner, a striking centerpiece, or a few flickering candles—you can transform your dinner table into a seasonal masterpiece!
So let’s jump into this step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful fall tablescape, working from what you already have.
*Affiliate Links Below*
How to create a beautiful fall tablescape
1. Take Stock of What You Have
Before rushing out to buy all new decor (tempting, I know!), start by looking at what you already have on hand. There’s no need to break the bank for a seasonal tablescape when you probably have a lot of the basics already.
Go through your dining essentials—things like tablecloths, placemats, and even the dining table itself. Do you have a neutral table runner that could work? What about your crockery and cutlery? Pull out any large vases or candleholders you’ve collected over the years. Take inventory of these bigger, more expensive pieces that you can incorporate.
Pay close attention to the colors, patterns, and materials. Are there earthy tones or rustic textures that could play into a cozy fall theme? Or maybe some metallic accents you hadn’t noticed before?
2. Pick a Color Scheme
Now that you’ve taken stock of what you have, it’s time to pick a color scheme that ties everything together. Start by building on the colors of your existing pieces—this will help guide you towards a palette that feels cohesive and beautiful.
Of course, fall is known for its warm, cozy colors like oranges, browns, and deep reds, but you don’t have to stick to an autumn color palette if you don’t want to.
Jewel tones are another great option for a rich, luxurious feel. Think plum, dark green, or even deep blues.
Gold accents are another easy way to elevate your tablescape. Imagine gold-painted leaves scattered across the table or a few gold candlesticks. Gold adds just the right amount of glimmer without feeling over-the-top, especially when paired with natural elements like wood slices or pinecones.
And don’t be afraid to get creative! You could go for something totally unexpected create a vibrant and fun take on a fall tablescape!
As you settle on your color palette, consider whether you want to tie it into a larger theme, like a rustic harvest, modern minimal, or woodland charm. A theme can help everything feel more intentional and tied together.
3. Choose Materials, Textures & Patterns
Now let’s talk about one of my favorite parts—playing with materials, textures, and patterns!
Again, start from what you already have. For example, if you’re working with simple white plates, this is your chance to introduce a bit more visual interest with a patterned tablecloth or colorful placemats. If your dinnerware already has bold patterns, you might want to keep the linens simple and let the dishes do the talking.
For fall, natural elements are a must! Add textures like burlap table runners, wooden chargers, or woven placemats for a warm, rustic feel.
To keep things balanced, you can contrast these natural textures with metallic touches. A little glimmer of gold or copper—whether it’s in your flatware, candleholders, or even some decorative accents—can add a polished, sophisticated touch without taking away from the cozy vibe.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match! Combining different textures like rough burlap with smooth ceramics or shiny metals creates visual interest and depth, making the table feel thoughtfully curated.
4. Set the Base
Now it’s time to lay the foundation of your tablescape—literally! This is where you’ll choose your tablecloth or table runner and start building the tablescape from the ground up.
Of course, you can buy a beautiful linen or patterned tablecloth, but why not get a little creative? I often use a $3 roll of brown kraft wrapping paper as a table runner, and it looks amazing! It gave my table a rustic, natural vibe, and I don’t feel bad about crumpling it up and tossing it afterward. I add a little Thanksgiving note written directly on the paper table runner for each guest (see it here)!
You can also think outside the box with materials like wallpaper, gift wrap, or even fabric remnants like old curtains or scarves. These options are not only budget-friendly but also a fantastic way to add texture or pattern without committing to expensive linens.
Here’s a fun idea: If you go with something like kraft paper, turn it into a little activity! Leave out a few pens for the kids (or adults!) to doodle, write messages, or draw designs on the runner. It’s a playful touch that also keeps little ones entertained during dinner!
5. Create a Striking Seasonal Centerpiece, Like Florals
The centerpiece is the focal point of your tablescape—it’s the first thing your guests will notice, so it should definitely have that “wow” factor!
Learn how to incorporate orange pomanders into a floral bouquet for amazing scent and style.
While you want it to be striking, don’t forget about practicality. You still need room to fit all the delicious food (because, let’s face it, that’s the real star of the show)!
For fall, you’ll probably want to incorporate foliage, whether real or artificial. You could go with a floral arrangement such as a bouquet of seasonal flowers, a wreath with candles nestled in the center, or even a little vignette featuring mini pumpkins, gourds, acorns, and other bits of seasonal decor. Or try this reusable pumpkin centerpiece pictured below.
It’s also important to add some height for visual interest, but since it will be in the center of the table, make sure not to go so tall that people can’t see each other! A great way to do this is by using something like a cake stand to elevate parts of the centerpiece.
6. Style the Place Settings
Place settings aren’t just about giving everyone the tools to enjoy the meal—they’re also the key to making your table look elegant and polished! Styling them thoughtfully can really elevate the whole tablescape.
First, think about contrast. Pair your crockery with placemats in different patterns or textures to make everything pop. If you have plain dinner plates, use a patterned or textured placemat, and vice versa.
I pair the simple elegance of my Better Homes & Gardens Acacia Wood & Marble tray, modern rim dinnerware, and marble melamine salad plates, with the stunning glamor of my black- and white-handled gold cutlery from Lekoch.
For a fun and budget-friendly twist, I’ve used gold-dotted wrapping paper as placemats before. Not only does it add a pop of pattern and color, but it’s also disposable—just toss it after the meal!
Layering your pieces always looks great—start with a placemat, then add a plate, a bowl, and a small decorative item or napkin on top.
Napkins are a fantastic way to introduce patterns or textures, especially if you use cloth napkins. You can fold them into fancy shapes and place them on the plate for an extra decorative touch. Napkin rings are another way to add style, whether you go for classic rings or DIY something cute with twine and a sprig of rosemary.
Don’t forget about the cutlery! I love to jazz things up with gold flatware, but if you’re working with simpler cutlery, you can still style it nicely by wrapping it in a cloth napkin or tucking it into a fun cutlery holder.
Your glasses are also a chance to have fun—go for ones in interesting shapes or colors for an unexpected pop!
If you’re feeling creative, there are so many fun ways to make your own place cards. I’ve written with a gold Sharpie on black construction paper before, but you could also write guests’ names on painted gold leaves or wooden slices.
7. Add More Fall Decor to Tie the Centerpiece to Everything Else
Now that your striking centerpiece is in place, it’s time to weave those fall vibes throughout the table to make everything feel cohesive. Think of this step like adding the final touches to a masterpiece—you’re bringing it all together!
Running down the middle of the table, you can layer decorative elements that complement your centerpiece, like beads, ribbons, foliage, pine cones, leaves, corn husks, acorns, or even baubles.
Wood slices and bowls of potpourri, can also be perfect for adding a touch of fall fragrance and texture. This is where you can really get creative—mix and match elements to give your table depth and personality!
Functional items like gravy boats, jugs, and cloches can also double as decor. Place them on trays, chopping boards, or placemats to give them a little extra style and height. Tiered trays, candlesticks, and pedestal bowls can also help create visual interest in terms of height. Just make sure you’re not obstructing the view or conversations between guests!
8. Add Candles and Lighting for a Cozy Feel and Scent
No fall tablescape is complete without some warm lighting to set the mood!
The soft, flickering light of a candle will instantly make your table feel cozy and magical. You can also choose scented candles, e.g. cinnamon or pumpkin, to fill the air with an unmistakable fall aroma.
If you have little ones around, the best way to achieve that magical feel is by using flameless candles. They give off that beautiful flickering light without the worry of open flames.
Lanterns are another good option that bring some height and drama. They look stunning scattered down the table or clustered to create a kind of vignette. Fill them with real or battery operated candles.
9. Include A DIY Element
If you are going for a budget-friendly fall table, consider DIY’ing any missing elements; such as sewing cloth napkins, adding a painted design to your cloth napkins and table runner, or making fall-themed napkin rings from wire.
10. Add A Personal Touch
Make your tablescape special with a name placard that includes something you appreciate about your guest. Another fun little project is a mini box with an accordion fold-out photo set as a lovely little gift.
Enjoy Your Beautiful Tablescape!
By following these steps, you can transform your everyday dinnerware into a festive, inviting tablescape that will delight your guests and make every meal feel magical this fall season.
So take your favorite fall tablescape ideas from this post, get creative, and enjoy the process of styling your dining room table for your fall dinner parties or Thanksgiving dinner. Happy fall!
Shop Fall Dinner Table Accessories
Looking to supplement what you already have? Shop these affiliate links below!
Leave a Reply